Plumas Bank collects more than 1,500 pounds of peanut butter

Plumas Bank customers deposited more than money last month — they brought in jars of peanut butter.

It was part of a month-long campaign to support local food banks and pantries in the communities the bank serves.

The bank undertook a peanut butter drive in advance of the summer months so that food pantries would be stocked with a kid-friendly and nutritious item.

More than 1,600 pounds were collected in the following breakdown:

Chester — 266

Quincy — 249.5

Susanville — 219

Fall River Mills — 189.9

Portola — 186

Tahoe City — 176.4

Greenville — 155

Administration — 84.7

Truckee — 59.3

Alturas — 55

Redding — 26

Kings Beach — 19.25

“When we launched this campaign we wanted to put the spotlight on our area’s hunger issue and engage the community in donating peanut butter for the drive,” said Andrew Ryback, Plumas Bank’s president and chief executive officer. “Together, we were successful, as 1,686 pounds of peanut butter are being distributed throughout Plumas Bank’s service area to families in need by various local food pantries and organizations.”

He continued, “The results were phenomenal and we extend our gratitude to all those who donated peanut butter. The philanthropic spirit and generosity of our clients, employees, local businesses, organizations, and schools is remarkable. Together, we make a difference!”

In Quincy, the 249.5 pounds represents 172 jars, which Kitty Gay says will be put to good use at the food bank.

“It goes into every bag that we hand out,” Gay said. CAN, the Community Assistance Network, usually buys 10 cases of peanut butter at a time — 240 jars — which represents about a one-month supply.

Since many people donated large jars, those will be given to large families.

Gay said that the food bank relies on peanut butter and cans of tuna as its primary protein to distribute.